Game apparatus



Oct. 8, 1935.

H. A. VIETS GAMEAPPARATUS Filed June '20, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 H. A. VIETS GAME APPARATUS Oct. 8, 1935.

Filed June 20, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 11/1. Vi Zs v r 1' 1 w H. A. VIETS GAME APPARATUS Oct. 8, 1935.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 20, 1933 Patented Oct. 8, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to game apparatus and. has relation more particularly to an apparatus of this kind simulating the well known game of baseball, and it is an object of the invention to provide a game of this character providing mechanically operated means for pitching and batting the ball.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an apparatus of this kind constructed and 0perated in a manner whereby skill is required in I the playing of the game and whereby the apparatus requires two persons in its playing.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this kind wherein is provided a plurality of projectiles to be separately thrown by a pitcher unit toward a batter unit, together with means to effect as desired delivery of a projectile to the pitcher unit.

Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a game apparatus of this kind wherein is provided a batter unit supported for rotary movement with means operated by and under control of a player for operating said batter unit.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this kind including a pitcher unit mounted and operated in a manher to throw a projectile toward a batter unit, the flight of such projectile having a tendency for a rather high trajectory to assure effective playing action of the batter unit with relation to such projectile while in flight.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this kind whereby a plurality of projectiles are released for play from a suitable source of supply, together with means whereby such projectiles after being projected are caused automatically to return to their source.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a game apparatus of this kind comprising a plurality of vertically movable members which when in their lowered position indicate empty bases and each of said members when raised denoting an occupied base.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a game apparatus of this kind comprising a throwing member together with means for delivering a projectile to said throwing member, said delivering means being of a character ,to prevent delivery at the one time of more than a single projectile.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved game apparatus whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:-

Figure 1 is a view in top plan of a game apparatus constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention, a portion being broken away and the upper housing being omitted;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 22 of Figure 1 with the upper or top housing applied;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in end elevation of the structure as illustrated in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 1 with parts in elevation;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view partly in top plan and partly in section illustrating portion of the means as herein disclosed for operating the pitcher unit;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 66 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 1-1 of Figure 2. A

My improved apparatus as herein disclosed comprises a table 1 of desired dimensions and which is supported at a preferred elevation in any way desired and as by the corner legs 2 illustrated in fragment in the accompanying drawings. The marginal portions of the table I are defined by the upstanding flanges 3 and the table I at substantially its transverse center and to one side of its longitudinal center is provided with an elongated opening or slot 4 from which leads from below a downwardly inclined runway 5 ofdesired length.

This runway 5 is suitably secured to and supported by the table I.

Secured to the upper edges of the side flanges 3 and overlying such edges are the playing floor sections 6 each of which being disposed on a downward incline toward the table I and terminating at substantially the marginal portions of the opening or slot 4 so that projectiles 1 received upon the floor sections 6 will readily travel by gravity toward the opening 4 and pass through said opening onto the runway 5. This runway 5 constitutes a source of supply for the projectiles i which are preferably spherical and in simulation of a conventional baseball.

The lower portion of the runway 5 at points spaced longitudinally thereof is provided with openings 8 through which are adapted to travel from below the stop pins 9. These stop pins 9 are operatively engaged with the opposite end portions of a lever l5 and which lever at a pre determined point intermediate its ends is fixed, as at i i, for rotation with a rock shaft l2. This shaft 62 as herein disclosed is of a length to extend to a suitable check controlled mechanism I l whereby upon deposit of a desired coin or other check the shaft i2 may be rocked in a direction to effect the release for play of a desired number of projectiles or balls 1.

Normally the lowermost pin 9 is in raised position and the second or forward pin in a lowered position in reverse to that illustrated in Figure 2. In this position the lowermost or rear pin 9 serves as a stop to prevent travel of the balls or projectiles 7 within the runway 5 beyond said lower or rear pin 9.

However, upon proper rocking movement of the shaft l i this lower or rear pin 9 will be moved downwardly while the upper or forward pin 9 will be raised within the runway 5 as illustrated in Figure 2 whereby a desired number of balls or projectiles 7, preferably eight, will be released for desired continue flow down the runway 5 while this forward or upper pin 9 will prevent the remaining balls or projectiles from travelling down the runway.

The check controlled mechanism M in its detailed construction forms no particular part of the present invention and, therefore, it is not believed that a detailed description and illustration thereof is required other than to state that upon application of a proper coin or check the knurled head 55 may be operated to effect the desired rocking or rotation of the shaft l2.

The batter unit as herein set forth comprises a vertically disposed shaft l6 freely disposed at a desired location up through the floor 6, the lower portion of this shaft 16 being directed through a bearing I! depending from a plate l8 resting from above upon the table I. The table 5 is provided with a suitable opening l9 through which the bearing i1 is directed. The shaft 16 below the bearing 4! has keyed or otherwise secured the eto a relatively short rock arm 29, the outer or free end portion of which having depending therefrom a pin 2! which passes through a kerf or open slot 22 provided in an end portion of a swinging member or arm 23. The opposite end portion of this member or arm 23 has disposed therethrough a pivot bolt 24 inserted from above through the plate I 8 and a second depending bearing member 25 disposed through a propely positioned opening 25 in the table i.

The swinging member or arm 23 is keyed or otherwise fixed to the bolt 24 for rotary movement therewith and at the same time permitting the member or arm 23 to provide means for maintaining the bolt 24 in applied position. As illustrated in the drawings, the upper .end portion of the bolt 24 is provided with a head 24 engaging the plate W from above. The portion of the member or arm 23 engaged with the bolt 24 carries elongated rock arm 2'! of a length to extend beyond the adjacent or front end of the table and the outer end portion of this arm 27 carries an annular head or enlargement 28 to provide a hold whereby the manual operation of the arm 27 by a player may be materially facilitated.

The extent of movement in one direction of the rock arm 21 is limited by contact with a stop pin 29 depending from the adjacent end of the table 1 or more particularly the lower marginal edge of the adjacent flange 3.

Extending laterally from the upper end portion of the shaft 19 and substantially at right angles thereto is a rock arm 39, the outer end of which carrying a relatively long fiat and broad plate 3|. The arm 39 and plate 3! constitute what may be termed the bat and it is to be particularly noted that the plate 3! is fixed with the shaft 39 on an upward and rearward incline with respect to the playing field for a purpose to be hereinafter more particularly referred to. It is also to be noted that the shaft it is located to one side of the transverse center of the floor 6 and that the arm 35 is of a length to allow for the most effective positioning of the plate 3|.

Suitably secured to the shaft l5 and arm 39 is a figure 32 in simulation of a batter and this figure in the playing of the game turns with the shaft 96.

The pitcher unit comprises an upstanding shaft 33 which is rotatably disposed through a bearing 3 depending from a plate to and extended through a suitably positioned opening 35 in the table i. The plate 35 is anchored from above to the table 8 and the bearing 35 is so disposed as to have the shaft upwardly inclined in a direction away from the batter unit and on an angle of about three degrees from the perpendicular.

Suitably secured to the upper portion of this shaft 33 is a figure 3? in simulation of a ball player and extending outwardly and laterally from said figure 3'! is an arm The shaft 33 is also freely disposed through the floor 6 and above the floor 6 and below the figure 371 the shaft 33 carries a surrounding disk 39.

The shaft 33 between the table I and the floor 6 has secured thereto an outstanding arm 55, the outer extremity of which carrying a bumper ii, preferably of yieldable material, which is adapted to contact with the stop lug G2 extending upwardly from the plate 35 whereby the rotation of the shaft 39 and the figure 31 in one direction is limited. This stop lug 52 is so positioned to stop the rotation of the shaft 33 when the arm 38 of the figure 3? is substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the floor 6.

The shaft 33 is of a length to extend a considerable distance below the bearing member 34 and surrounding this lower extended portion of the shaft is a coil spring 43, one end portion of which being secured, as at 44, to the lower portion of the bearing member 3 while the opposite end portion of this spring is anchored, as at 5, to the lower extremity of the shaft 33. Upon rotation of the shaft in a direction to move the bumper il away from the stop lug 52 the spring 43 is placed under tension so that the return or opposite rotation of the shaft 33 will be automatically obtained. The outer portion of the arm 29 has anchored thereto, as at an end portion of a wire strand 3?. wire strand i! is of a length to terminate beyond a side of the table i and said extended end portion is provided with an enlargement or head 18 whereby the sam may be readily operatedby a player. Upon pull being imposed upon the wire strand ii the shaft 33 will be rotated in a direction to place the spring 23 under tension and, of course, upon release of the wire strand 4? said spring will automatically rotate the shaft in the opposite direction until the bumper 4i engages the cup-like member or hand 49.

the stop lug 42. This wire strand 4! is also freely disposed through a side flange 3.

The outer end portion of the arm 58 carries a forwardly facing and slightly upwardly disposed pocket or cup-like member or hand 49 which receives a projectile l to be thrown toward the batter unit. As the shaft 33 rotates under the action of the spring 43 the projectile I withinthe member or hand 48 will be thrown toward the batter unit when the bumper 4| comes intocontact with the stop lug 42.

The inclination of the shaft 33 together with the arrangement of the cup-like member or hand '49 will cause the projectile to travel in a rather high trajectory and in order to compensate for this trajectory ofthe projectile in its flight the plate 3| of the batter unit is inclined as hereinbefore set forth. This particular mounting of the figure 5'! and arrangement of the cup-like member or hand 49 also permits in the playing of the game tlie'throwing of a relatively slow ball, it being understood of course that the flight of the projectile is controlled by the intensity withv which the spiral spring 43 has been wound. A slight winding of the spring 43 will cause the projectile I to drop below the plate 3| while a full winding of the spring 43 will cause the projectile to shoot over the top of the plate 3|.

As one player operates the pitcher unit to throw a projectile a second player operates the batter unit with an endeavor to hit the thrown projectile. The game is played and scored in substantially the same way as the regular game of baseball and of course with the understanding that an out is scored should the projectile be batted to hit the figure 31 orany one of the upstanding relatively broad plates 55. These plates represent the various players on the field and suitably secured or anchored to the floor 6. A disk 35! hereinbefore referred to constitutes the base for the figure 31 and a foot 5| of said figure 3i be operated as an index or pointer whereby the player operating the batter unit may be able to determine to what extent the spring '43 may be wound so that he can be prepared to hit the projectile i thrown from the pitcher unit although the game may be made more difficult and rendered more interesting by having the player operating the pitcher unit give the wire strand 4'! a sudden pull or jerk before he releases the same. If a projectile is knocked between or over the player figure or bases a "base hit is madeand various rules may be formulated to determine just what will constitute a single, a double, a triple, or a home run.

At a point to one side of the bearing 34 the table has a horizontally and transversely disposed shaft 52 upon which is mounted a lug 53 of an arcuate elevator 54. This elevator 54'is relatively broad so that when in raised position will close the runway 5 against the discharge therefrom of any of the projectiles l which may have been released upon the proper operation of the shaft l2. The forward end of the elevator 54 carries a pocket 55 which, when the elevator 54 is fully lowered, assumes a position slightly below the delivery end of the runway 5 so that a projectile 1 will readily be received by such pocket 55. As the elevator 54 is raised the projectile I in the pocket 55 will be carried upwardly and rearwardly as indicated by broken lines in Figure 2 and properly delivered to After the projectile has been delivered to the pitcher unit the elevator, or loader as it may also be called, is lowered so as to afiord no undue obstruction in the playing of the game. The lowered or downward movement of the elevator 54 is limited by contact .of .the-endsthereof remote from the pocket 55 with a bumper 56 depending at a suitable point from the floor-'6.

The shaft 52 is of a length to extend beyond a side .of the table and said extended portion, as illustrated in Figure 1, carries a knurled head 59 or the like whereby the elevator 54 may be readily raised or .loweredas required.

The three bases on the playing field are indicated 'by the disks 58 which normally rest from aboveiuponthe floor 6 or decking as it may also be termed. .Each of these disks 58 is secured to the upper end of an elongated rod 59 slidably disposed through the floor or decking 6 and the table l and terminating below said table I. The portion of the rod or post 59ibelow the table I has o-peratively engaged therewith a rock arm 68 carried by a shaft 6| suitably supported by the bearing 62 depending from the table I. This shaft 6| terminates beyond the forward end of the table 5 and carries 'a knurled head 63 or the like whereby the shaft 6| may be rotated when desired to raise :the post 59.and its disk 58 to give indication when such base is supposed to be occupied.

It has been found in practice that the player operating the batter unit can readily control the operation of the plate 3| to strike or hit a projectile l to any part of the playing field in accordance with the skill of such player. The projectiles after being in play roll down the floor or decking 6 to the opening 4 and are collected upon the runway 5 ready to be again used upon the operationof the shaft l2.

To'prevent more than one projectile l at a time being carried up by the elevator or loader 55 a curved tube 64 .is provided through which the elevator 54 passes. This tube 64 extends from the lower or discharge end of the runway 5 up through the table and the fioor or deck 6 and, as herein disclosed, terminates a slight distance above the floor or'deck 6 to prevent a projectile travelling on the'deck 6 to drop through the opening of the deck through which the elevator passes. The lower portion of the tube 84 is provided with a slot 65 in its wall registering with the discharge end of the runway 5 and which slot 65 is of a size to permit the discharge therethrough of only a single projectile I. As the runway 5 allows a free run of the projectiles l thereon it is important to prevent the balls piling up on the pocket 55. As illustrated in Figure 2 when a projectile a is in the pocket 55 of the elevator and said elevator is in its lowermost position, the next succeeding projectile 1 contacts with the projectile in the pocket but'th'e extent of projection of said second projectile within'the tube 64 is less than one-half of the diameter or radius of said projectile i so that as the elevator 54 moves upwardly the second projectile together with the other projectile I released for play will be pushed or forced back into the runway 5 without jamming.

Resting from above upon the marginal portions of the floor or deck 6 is a housing H, the walls of which being provided with transparent panels 65 so that visual access may be had within the housing in order to properly play the game. This housing I-I may be held in applied position in any desired manner.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a game apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:--

1. In a baseball game, a playing deck, a throwing arm supported above said deck for swinging movement in substantially a horizontal path, a cup-like hand carried by said throwing arm, an arcuate elevator normally positioned below the deck, an inwardly and substantially radially dispose-d lug carried by the rear end portion of the elevator, a rock shaft positioned below the deck and to which said lug is secured, a pocket carried by the forward end of the elevator, said deck having an opening through which the elevator is adapted to travel, a runway for projectiles delivering below the deck, the pocket of the elevator when the elevator is fully lowered being positioned below the delivery end of the runway to receive a projectile therefrom, said elevator when swung upwardly delivering the projectile in the pocket thereof to the cup-like hand of the throwing arm, and a tube depending from the deck and defining the opening therein, the arcuate elevator traveling through said tube, said tube bridging the space between the deck and the discharge end of the runway to allow a single projectile to be carried up by the elevator.

2. In a baseball game, a playing deck, a throwing arm supported above said deck for swinging movement in substantially a horizontal path and provided with an upwardly facing pocket, a runway for projectiles delivering below the deck, an arcuate elevator normally positioned below the deck, means for supporting said elevator for swinging movement toward or from the throwing arm, the deck having an opening through which the elevator travels, said elevator having a pocket, said pocket, when the elevator is in its normal position, being positioned to receive a projectile from the delivery end of the runway, said elevator when moved toward the throwing arm delivering the projectile in the pocket of the elevator to the pocket of the throwing arm, and a tube depending from the deck and substantially defining the opening through which the elevator passes, said elevator also travelling through the tube, said tube bridging the space between the deck and the discharge end of the runway to permit only a single projectile to be carried by the elevator.

3. In a baseball game, a playing deck, a throwing arm supported above said deck for swinging movement in substantially a horizontal path and provided with an upwardly facing pocket, a runway for projectiles delivering below the deck, an

, arcuate elevator normally positioned below the deck, means for supporting said elevator for swinging movement toward or from the throwing arm, the deck having an opening through which the elevator travels, said elevator having a pocket, 5 said pocket, when the elevator is in its normal position, being positioned to receive a projectile from the delivery end of the runway, said elevator when moved toward the throwing arm delivering the projectile in the pocket of the elevator to the pocket of the throwing arm, and a tube depending from the deck and substantially defining the opening through which the elevator passes, said elevator also travelling through the tube, said tube bridging the space between the deck and the discharge end of the runway to permit only a single projectile to be carried by the elevator, said tube extending a distance above the deck to prevent a projectile travelling on the deck dropping through the opening of the deck.

4. A baseball game having a playing deck, a pitcher unit comprising a bearing member supported below the deck, a shaft disposed through the deck and bearing member, a throwing element carried by the shaft above the deck, a rock arm carried by the shaft between the deck and bearing member and limiting the downward movement of the shaft, said shaft being of a length to extend below the bearing member, a coil tension spring surrounding the portion of the shaft below the bearing member, one end portion of the spring being secured to the shaft and the other end portion to the bearing member, means coacting with the rock arm for imparting swinging movement to the shaft and placing the spring under increased tension, a stop positioned in the path of travel of the rock arm with which said rock arm has abrupt contact when the shaft is rotated under the action of the spring, and an index carried by the shaft above the playing deck to indicate the extent of winding of the spring.

5. A baseball game having a playing deck, a pitcher unit comprising a bearing member supported below the deck, a shaft disposed through the deck and bearing member, a throwing ele- 5 ment carried by the shaft above the deck, a rock arm carried by the shaft between the deck and bearing member and limiting the downward movement of the shaft, said shaft being of a length to extend below the bearing member, a coil tension spring surrounding the portion of the shaft below the bearing member, one end portion of the spring being secured to the shaft and the other end portion to the bearing member, means coacting with the rock arm for imparting swinging movement to the shaft and placing the spring under increased tension, and a stop positioned in the path of travel of the rock arm with which said rock arm has abrupt contact when the shaft is rotated under the action of the spring.

HARRY A. VIETS. 

